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Community Options, Inc. > Press Room > School to Employment Program

Tag Archives: School to Employment Program

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Community Options Offers School to Employment Program (STEP)

December 30, 2016 | Princeton Online article | Article.pdf

Community Options Offers School to Employment Program (STEP)For youth with disabilities who want to be gainfully employed, it is critical they receive services that ensure they are adequately prepared to adapt to the competitive workplace environment. To meet his need, Community Options provides the School to Employment Program (STEP) for these youth and their families in New Jersey.

 

STEP’s highly trained employment specialists and job coaches work side-by-side with junior and senior year high school students, their families, and their Individual Education Plan team to assess the student’s strengths, preferences, and interests. Using these assessments, STEP develops unpaid internship opportunities for students at local job sites from our network of participating businesses, which include hospitals, restaurants, and retail stores.

 

Designed to integrate smoothly into the students’ academic programming, students can take core classes for a half day and then participate in two or more hours of hands-on skill building employment training at the job site. Students work at each site for six weeks until rotating to a new experience, providing them with a wide range of tangible work skills and valuable work experiences. STEP also provides free transportation, summer programs, and post-graduation job placement assistance.

 

The STEP team use best practices and technology to train students on how to acquire the physical, intellectual, emotional and social skills needed to effectively and efficiently transition from high school to independent adult life. In addition to integrated community-based instruction, students also participate in job clubs that highlight various topics such as: Writing a Resume and Cover Letter, Interviewing Skills, and Effective Communication Skills.

 

Community Options has been operating STEP in NJ for over eight years and continues to have high success rates. Of the fifteen students who were part of the 2015-2016 program in New Jersey, over half have advanced forward in their careers. STEP has received praise for its low student-to-job coach ratio and staffing structure. Each student receives an individualized experience tailored to their specialized needs, while job coaches are still able to supervise multiple students in different rotations at the same location. STEP is 100% community-based, without a waiting list. STEP currently serves schools in Allentown, Hamilton, Lawrence, Manalapan, Metuchen, Millstone, Robbinsville, and West Windsor-Plainsboro.

 

For the parent or caregiver, STEP also provides assistance in navigating the vocational services network and guidance through the complicated postsecondary funding process. Empowered with the right knowledge and resources, families can take comfort knowing they’re meeting all of their child’s transition needs.

 

Families in need of STEP support and services can contact Dina Casalaspro at Dina.Casalaspro@comop.org or Meghan Hunter at Meghan.hunter@comop.org

To learn more about STEP, please visit this program’s webpage at www.transitionschooltowork.org/services/

Posted in Media Coverage | Tagged School to Employment Program

Community Options Celebrate Opportunities Provided by Three Local Businesses

November 01, 2016 | Press Release.pdf

Community Options Celebrate Opportunities Provided by Three Local Businesses

PRINCETON, NJ – At last week’s New Jersey Staff Appreciation dinner, Community Options recognized three local businesses that have played an integral role in their mission; providing employment support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Rick DeLorenzo - DeLorenzo's Pizza in Hamilton, NJ

Rick DeLorenzo of DeLorenzo’s Pizza in Hamilton is honored for his dedication and community support to people with disabilities by Meghan Hunter of Community Options

Community Options’ School to Employment Program (STEP) is proud to partner with DeLorenzo’s Pizza in Hamilton, NJ, University Medical Center Princeton at Plainsboro and Walgreens of Haledon, NJ.  STEP is a job training/transition program for high school students and young adults with special needs.  STEP provides students with real world, hands-on training through a unique opportunity to explore a number of different career paths.

“Our relationship with these community partners gives our individuals the opportunity to be integrated into the community and obtain job experience in all different types of setting to prepare them for future integrated and meaningful employment,” said Community Options’ Director of STEP, Meghan Hunter.

Jenn Paone - University Medical Center Princeton at Plainsboro (UMCPP)

Jenn Paone, Director of Volunteer Services at University Medical Center Princeton at Plainsboro, is honored for her dedication and community support to people with disabilities by Meghan Hunter of Community Options

DeLorenzo’s Pizza is a job sampling site for Community Options’ STEP students. Having just started in September, it has been a successful experience thus far.

University Medical Center Princeton at Plainsboro (UMCPP) has been a long-time partner for STEP in Mercer County.  STEP participants are integrated into the hospitals volunteer program, and job sample in nine different departments supported by a job coach.

Richard Miles - Walgreens of Haledon, NJ

Richard Miles, GM of Walgreens in Haledon, NJ, is honored for his dedication and community support to people with disabilities by Donna Orr of Community Options

Walgreens, a partner since 2014, has provided the opportunity for one of COI’s supported employment individuals to participate in their REDI internship program.  With the full support of Walgreens GM Richard Miles and his staff, this person successfully completed this internship and then applied for and was hired for a position in the store.  With recent STEP program expansion into the northern part of the state, Mr. Miles has provided his store for participants to learn retail skills.  COI now has one of these participants moving into the REDI program, which is a very structured training and assessment program that Walgreens developed as a retail employees with disabilities initiative.

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About Community Options, Inc.:

For over 25 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through 38 offices across 10 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination.

For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Posted in Press Releases | Tagged School to Employment Program

Community Options Partners with Trenton Thunder for Third-Year Fundraiser

August 19, 2016 | Press Release.pdf

Community Options Partners with Trenton Thunder for Third-Year Fundraiser

STEP Participant Brian V. threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the game.

STEP Participant Brian V. threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the game.

PRINCETON, NJ — Community Options Inc.’s School to Employment Program (STEP) of Mercer County, NJ hosted its annual Trenton Thunder night for the third year in a row on Thursday, August 18 at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, NJ.  The funds raised from the game will help further enhance the STEP program.

STEP is a job training program for young adults with developmental disabilities, who are transitioning from school to the workforce. Community Options provides unpaid internships for the participants, where they work side by side with a highly trained job coach who trains them in the necessary skills to eventually maintain competitive and meaningful employment in the local community. STEP has successfully mitigated the risks associated with the underemployment of people with disabilities by consistently preparing, training, and placing participating participants in meaningful jobs.

“Teaming up with Trenton Thunder for the past 3 years has given the STEP family the opportunity to come together for a fun night to celebrate the accomplishments of our participants and the tireless efforts of our supportive staff,” said STEP Director Meghan Hunter.

STEP Participant Brian V. threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the game.  The 24-year-old has volunteered with the STEP Program for the past three years. He loves working at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. Brian loves rollerblading, swimming, airplanes and sports.

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About Community Options, Inc.:

For over 25 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through 38 offices across 10 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination.

For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Posted in Press Releases | Tagged School to Employment Program

2016 NYSE Closing Bell – Event Photos

2016 NYSE Closing Bell – Event Photos

Photo Credit: NYSE

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STEP participant Max Depelteau will be ringing the NYSE Closing Bell for Community Options.

On August 15, 2016, Community Options, rang the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Read more here.

Posted in Gallery | Tagged Cupid's Chase 5k, New York Stock Exchange, School to Employment Program

Community Options Celebrates 20 Years of Service in New York on Record Day at the New York Stock Exchange

August 15, 2016 | Press Release.pdf

Community Options Celebrates 20 Years of Service in New York on Record Day at the New York Stock Exchange

Officials and guests of Community Options, Inc. visit the New York Stock Exchange. Max Depelteau (5th from left), an individual served by Community Options, Inc., rings the NYSE Closing Bell® to highlight their 20th Anniversary of providing services throughout NY State. Photo Credit: NYSE

Officials and guests of Community Options, Inc. visit the New York Stock Exchange. Max Depelteau (5th from left), an individual served by Community Options, Inc., rings the NYSE Closing Bell® to highlight their 20th Anniversary of providing services throughout NY State. Photo Credit: NYSE

PRINCETON, NJ – National nonprofit Community Options, Inc. rang the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, August 15.  Community Options is based in Princeton, NJ and provides housing and employment support to thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the nation.

School to Employment Program (STEP) participant Max Depelteau rang the Closing Bell for Community Options, a record day at the 224-year-old New York Stock Exchange as all three major U.S. stock indexes ended at all-time highs on Monday (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-set-open-slightly-130103300.html)

STEP is a community Options program. STEP is a job-training program for young adults with developmental disabilities, who are transitioning from school to the workforce.  STEP has successfully mitigated the risks associated with the underemployment of people with disabilities by consistently preparing, training, and placing participating participants in meaningful jobs.

Max currently works two days a week at his paid job at Experienced Support Coordination as an office clerk and continues to attend the STEP program three days per week.  The 24-year-old is hoping to lock down a five day a week paid job in the near future.  Max started in STEP as a high school student from West Windsor Plainsboro High School North.

Community Options Enterprises Managing Director Dina Casalaspro, Grant Writer Cherry Watson, Regional Director Katie Valle, Community Options Enterprises Managing Director Andrew Park, STEP Director Meghan Hunter, Employment Specialist Donna Orr, Program Manager Caroline Garcia and Community Options Enterprises board member Philip Lian and his wife Joan Mueller were also on hand to represent Community Options as well.

Community Options is celebrating its 20th year of service in the state of New York and will hold a fundraising Gala on Thursday, October 6 to honor the milestone.  The Gala will take place at Pier 61 of The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers at 6 p.m.  The festivities will include cocktails, dinner and a silent auction.

The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers is located at 23rd Street and West Side Highway in New York City.  For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.501auctions.com/nycgala2016.

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About Community Options, Inc.:

For over 25 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through 38 offices across 10 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination.

For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


View photo gallery here

Posted in Press Releases | Tagged New York Stock Exchange, School to Employment Program

Community Options program provides job training to those with disabilities

August 07, 2016 | The Star-Ledger article.pdf | NJ.com online article

Diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome as a boy, Jonah, above, is now 21 and reaching the maximum of his abilities through Community Options' School to Employment Program (STEP), which assists young adults with disabilities planning for their futures in the workforce.

Diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome as a boy, Jonah, above, is now 21 and reaching the maximum of his abilities through Community Options’ School to Employment Program (STEP), which assists young adults with disabilities planning for their futures in the workforce.

When Laura and Dennis Waters of Lawrence Township received the news that their son, Jonah, was diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome, they were devastated. Fragile X is a genetic disease that often manifested in severe intellectual abilities, especially in boys. Although Jonah’s future seemed bleak, Laura and Dennis never wavered in their commitment to provide Jonah with the best medical care and social support. Now 21, Jonah is reaching the maximum of his abilities thanks in large part to his involvement in Community Options’ School To Employment Program (STEP), which helps young adults with disabilities plan for their futures in the workforce.

STEP begins at the end of a qualifying candidate’s junior year in high school. Community Options staff works with the student, family members, and child study team to identify different types of employment opportunities that may be a good personal and professional match for the student. This often is the best way for students with disabilities to enter the workforce while also assessing preferences and aptitudes.

“Working a summer job, or a part-time job, when we were in high school was an important life milestone,” said Robert Stack, president and chief executive officer of Community Options. “Students with disabilities really learn more about the world of work through real life experiences. The business community benefits when we make the right fit. They can find a good worker. The student finds a good job. If it doesn’t work out, we try something else. However, everyone benefits from the experience. In every instance, everyone learns and everyone wins.”

In the case of Jonah, Meghan Hunter, STEP regional director, and her staff explored potential employment opportunities within the local community. They met with employers at hospitals, retail stores, pharmaceutical companies, law firms, shelters and supermarkets where Jonah could enhance his job skills and prepare for future employment. After much searching, Jonah was placed at University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro (UMCPP).

'In the last three years, STEP has been preparing me for a job,' says Alex B., above, a STEP participant shown grooming a dog. 'STEP has helped me in putting a resume together that lists the many jobs I have done. It's given me an opportunity to help out and work with other people.

‘In the last three years, STEP has been preparing me for a job,’ says Alex B., above, a STEP participant shown grooming a dog. ‘STEP has helped me in putting a resume together that lists the many jobs I have done. It’s given me an opportunity to help out and work with other people.

“Jonah worked in several jobs at UMCPP,” Hunter said. “He first worked in the stock room and did not like it. He then tried working in the environmental services department and had some difficulties. Then he found his dream job: the kitchen. Jonah prepares desserts and snacks for patients. He loves his job and enjoys interacting with his co-workers in the kitchen.”

Laura and Dennis couldn’t be happier with Jonah’s progress.

“We’ve been particularly impressed with STEP’s ability to differentiate needs among the students and craft job placements where they can learn and succeed,” Laura said.

“We both feel that this opportunity is a weight lifted off both Jonah and ourselves,” Dennis said.

By working together with individuals like Jonah, his family, school educators, and employers, the STEP team can find the proper job match that helps young adults with disabilities develop skills and become productive in their vocations.

For more than 25 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities — serving thousands of people through 38 offices across 10 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people — regardless of ability level — should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information, visit comop.org or call (609) 951-9900.

For those interested in empowering the individuals whom Community Options serves, the organization also has internal job vacancies. For more details, visit
comop.org/about-us/careers. Interested individuals can fill out an employment application online. All offers are contingent on a successful background check. Community Options is an equal opportunity employer.


Showing 1 Comment

John Crowley, President and CEO of Amicus Date: August 8, 2016 at 2:02:01 PM EDT
I particularly like the focus here on Jonah. Makes his challenges, and strength, very real for the readers. And of course your continued amazing work…..very proud to know you! – John F. Crowley – Chairman & CEO Amicus Therapeutics


 

Posted in Media Coverage | Tagged School to Employment Program

Community Options “School To Employment Program” Provides Invaluable Job Training To Young Adults With Disabilities

July 07, 2016 | Press Release.pdf | PR Newswire aticle link | PR Newswire article.pdf | Diverse Ability Magazine Article | A DiversityInclusion Magazine article.pdf

Community Options “School To Employment Program” Provides Invaluable Job Training To Young Adults With Disabilities

Diverse Ability Magazine Article. STEP begins at the end of a qualifying candidate’s junior year in high school.

Diverse Ability Magazine Article.

PRINCETON, NJ – When Laura and Dennis Waters of Lawrence Township received the news that their son, Jonah, was diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome, they were devastated.  Fragile X was a genetic disease that often manifested in severe intellectual abilities, especially in boys.  Although Jonah’s future seemed bleak, Laura and Dennis never wavered in their commitment to provide Jonah with the best medical care and social support.  Now 21, Jonah is reaching the maximum of his abilities thanks in large part to his involvement in Community Options, Inc. School To Employment Program (STEP) which helps young adults with disabilities plan for their futures in the work force.

STEP begins at the end of a qualifying candidate’s junior year in high school.  Community Options staff works with the student, family members, and child study team to identify different types of employment opportunities that may be a good personal and professional match for the student.  This often is the best way for students with disabilities to enter the workforce while also assessing preferences and aptitudes.

In the case of Jonah, STEP Regional Director Meghan Hunter and her staff explored potential employment opportunities within the local community. They met with employers at hospitals, retail stores, pharmaceutical companies, law firms, shelters and supermarkets where Jonah’s could enhance his job skills and prepare for future employment.  After much searching, Jonah was placed in University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.

“Jonah worked in several jobs at UMCPP,” said Hunter.  “He first worked in the stock room and did not like it. He then tried working in the environmental services department and had some difficulties. Then he found his dream job: the kitchen.  Jonah prepares desserts and snacks for patients. He loves his job and enjoys interacting with his co-workers in the kitchen.”

Laura and Dennis couldn’t be happier with Jonah’s progress.

“We’ve been particularly impressed with STEP’s ability to differentiate needs among the students and craft job placements where they can learn and succeed.  We both feel that this opportunity is a weight lifted off both Jonah and ourselves.”

By working together with individuals like Jonah, his family, school educators, and employers, the STEP team can find the proper job match that helps young adults with disabilities develop skills and become productive in their vocations.

###

About Community Options, Inc.:

For over 25 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through 38 offices across 10 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination.

For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Posted in Media Coverage, Press Releases | Tagged School to Employment Program

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Community Options, Inc.

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